Man raises thousands to fund his first attempt to make potato salad

(CNN) — Kickstarter campaigns have allowed people to fund diverse projects like video games, smartwatches and the restoration of historic locations.

And now? Make way for potato salad.

Zack Brown of Columbus, Ohio, posted his Kickstarter project with a goal of $10 and a desire to make potato salad for the first time. As of Monday morning, more than 1,545 backers had pledged $11,000 for a chance to taste Brown’s creation.

(editor’s note: at 5 p.m. Central time Tuesday, July 8, 2014, the Kickstarter project showed more than $44,000 had been pledge to Brown’s potato salad campaign. That number had dropped from a previously displayed total that exceeded $53,000.)

“I am a somewhat risk-averse person,” Brown told CNN. “I like potato salad but had never made it before and wasn’t sure it would be any good. Kickstarter helps people to realize their dreams, so it seemed like a perfect fit.”

Kickstarter is an online donation site where people can pledge money toward a project and get rewards for doing so. Often, the final project is shared with the donors, along with extra benefits for reaching specific monetary goals.

Brown’s stretch goals were blown through quickly, meaning he’ll be making different recipes. He’ll be using mayonnaise from the natural food section of his grocery store and consulting with a chef to make his potato salad better.

Also? He’ll host a potato-salad party in Columbus.

Brown said he was blown away by the incredible generosity of backers for his somewhat random project. And he acknowledges a basic culinary truth: Since this is his first time, it might not be any good.

“It has always been my dream to do something that would connect people all over the world,” Brown said. “Did I think that would happen with potato salad? No. But Kickstarter has made my dreams come true.”

One of the rewards for pledging $3 or more was to receive a bit of the potato salad. With the massive response, Brown knows he’s going to need some logistical help in pulling that off, but he’s undeterred.

“I could come to you. You could come to me,” he wrote in response to a question on his Kickstarter page. “Or maybe we could get a restaurant chain to make the recipe and offer free samples as a promotion.”

Brown’s exploits have garnered support from the United Kingdom, France, Romania and other countries outside the U.S. He’s working with a print designer to create a recipe book with one potato salad recipe inspired by each backer’s country.

“I’m inviting the whole Internet to a party in Columbus, Ohio. I hope some people will bring potato salad or potato salad recipes.”

Brown hopes to start making his potato salad recipes some time after his Kickstarter closes in August. He won’t reveal any details about his recipes other than that he will be using potatoes from his local grocery store, vinegar will be involved in one recipe, and there will be a vegan option available.

The making of the potato salad will be recorded and put on the Internet since he plans on saying the name of every backer out loud while he cooks. If the number of backers continues to grow, he may end up losing his voice by the end.

3 comments

sally

ridiculous of people to donate to this…this man should have instead stated he would donate all his edible potato salad to homeless people…44,000 could have gone a long way in shelters for food and air or warmth in the winter. not this man’s fault, but the backers..really people? donated to a man to learn how to make potato salad? smh! more worthy causes out there.

Sensitive Sally:
An emotional male, usually conforming to a metrosexual lifestyle or similar. Very in-touch with their feminine side and feelings, usually seen sporting all the latest fashion trends.

They don’t seem to appreciate nor understand trolls, and instead resort to name calling and a response of “nah”. Even a slight joke at their expense results in a tantrum, followed by a rage quit. Their inability to get a joke, is usually compounded by their scarf wearing antics.

sally

Your comment makes no sense, we all have our own opinions and this was mine. I wasn’t blaming the man, I was blaming the people who donated money to this goofy cause. If you are going to donate, make it a worthy donation that MIGHT make a worthy difference in someone’s life. I am sorry, he just did this to get his name in the news. SMH